Suppository holder



@cfi. 15%, 1935. E. ACKERMAN SUPPOSITORY HOLDER Filed March 2, 1934 INVENTOR 50mm ACIIEHMAN Patented Oct. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to suppository holders particularly adapted for rectal use, as in the treatment of hemorrhoids, or medication by rectum.

When a suppository is inserted in the rectum, although it may be initially positioned properly in contact with the hemorrhoids, the contraction of the sphincter muscle speedily forces it upwardly past the hemorrhoids and into the colon where it becomes embedded in fecal matter and even though it continues to melt, the medicament thereof is entrapped by and assimilated with the fecal matter and cannot come in contact with the parts intended to be treated, namely, the walls of I the anus where an hemorrhoidal condition may exist. X-ray photographs of suppositories, originally properly positioned in proximity to the hemorrhoids, show that, after fifteen seconds, they have entirely passed from the anus, where they are intended to remain, into the colon.

The primary object of the present invention is to retain the suppository in the proper position with respect to the part to be treated. To this end, a holder for the suppository is provided, having a portion overlying the exterior of the body to prevent displacement of the holder. Y

Another object of the invention is a suppository holder which shall not injure or irritate the inflamed parts of the rectum, but conform thereto. Accordingly, the suppository holder is made of soft, flexible material such as rubber.

The invention also seeks a suppository holder which shall deliver the medicament, as the suppository melts, to the affected parts. With this end in view, the suppository holder is made of an elastic material and is perforated so that when the suppository is inserted, the walls of the holder will be stretched and, having an inherent tendency to contract will, as the suppository melts, tend to squeeze the medicament out through the perforations into contact with the hemorrhoids.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a suppository holder which is practical from the standpoint of manufacture and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment, and in which: v

Figure 1 is an exploded view showing the suppository holder before insertion of a suppository herein, the suppository and the closure for the mouth thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, showing a portion of the wall of the suppository'holder in normal or contracted condition, and perforated in the preferred manner;

Figure 3 is a View showing the holder with the suppository therein and in position in the body; 5

and

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a portion of the wall, when distended, by a suppository.

While the invention has been illustrated and 10 will be described as applied to a rectal suppository holder it will be obvious, as the description proceeds, that it is equally applicable for vaginal suppositories or in any other situation where a medicament is to be held for application in close 15 proximity to the affected parts.

As shown in the drawing, the suppository holder of this invention comprises generally a tubular portion 4 closed at one end 5 and open at the other end 6 through which the suppository is inserted. 80 The suppository receiving space 1 within the holder 4, is considerably smaller in a transverse and also, if desired, in a longitudinal direction, than the suppository 8 which it is adapted to receive. The end 5 is preferably hemispherical. The walls 25 of the tube 4 and end 5 are formed with a relatively large number of perforations l l and are preferably thin and of an elastic material, such as rubber, which will stretch to permit the insertion of the suppository. A wall of such materialls :0 soft and. flexible, enabling the suppository holder to conform to the shape and movements of the body so that irritation and discomfort are reduced to a minimum. As the wall is elastic, it Will tend to return to its original size and shape 35 and, as the suppository melts, will squeeze the medicament out of the holes II.

The thin Wall l is shown as integral with a thicker but preferably flexible base portion 13 having an interior bore equal to that of the space 40 l which terminates about the mouth 6 in a flange l4, preferably circular, which becomes progressively thinner toward its periphery so as to be flexible and thereby conform to the shape of and overlie the adjacent parts I5 of the body, as 45 shown, to prevent seepage from the anus It as the suppository melts. The flange l4 limits the inward movement of the suppository so that it cannot pass into the colon l2.

After the suppository is inserted, thereby distending the wall 5, (Figure 2), the mouth 6 is closed by a plug ll of any convenient shape and material which is preferably removably secured in position against displacement, as by the interlocking of a peripheral bead 18 on the plug in an 86 annular groove l9 formed on the interior of the wall 13. If desired, the plug may be formed with a flange l9l adapted to overlie the rim of the mouth 6 and limit insertion of the plug as well as aiding in the prevention of seepage from the mouth 6 as the suppository melts.

In the preferred embodiment, as now conceived, the elastic wall 4--5 is perforated by elongated, diamond shaped slits ll whereof the major axis runs in the direction of the'longitudinal axis of the tube and is materially longer than theiminor or transverse axis of the perforation. Thus, when the tube is in contracted position (Figures 1 and against displacement inwardly of the body.

2), the perforations are substantially'mere slits,

as shown. Upon distention of the holder by the suppository, the wall stretches primarily in a lat-I eral direction so that the transverse axis of each diamond shaped perforation is more nearly equal in length to the longitudinal axis as shownin' Figure 4. The elastic wall portions 20 are under tension and extend in a generally circumferential direction. As the suppository melts, these stretched wall members 2!] contract and squeeze the medicament melted from the suppository out through the perforations to theaffected parts.

It will thus be seen that a suppository holder is provided which is retained by the flange [4 in position in close proximity to the affected parts, the length of the suppository holder being governed by the distance of the affected parts from the mouth of the body opening. Being thin and flexible and preferably of soft and pliable material, it readily conforms to movements of the body and causes less irritation than holders heretofore known. As the suppository distends the walls, when inserted, the elasticity of the walls tends to automatically squeeze the medicament appended claims.

amiss;

What is claimed is:-' 1. A suppository holder comprising a perforated tubular portion of elastic material and an end wall at its inner end closing the end of the tubular portion. 5

its inner end closing the end of the tubular portion and flexible means to position the holder 4."A suppository holder comprising a thin 15 walled perforated tubular portion of elastic ma- ,terial, a perforated end wall, a tubular wall portion of greater thickness integral with the thin wall at the'end remote from the end wall, a flexible peripheral flange carried with the mouth of 20 the thicker wall portion and a closure removably secured in the mouth. I

5; A suppository holder comprising a thin Walled perforated tubular portion of elastic material, a perforated end wall integral with the 25.

inner end of the tubular portion, a tubular wall portion of greater thickness integral with the thin wall portion at the end remote from the end wall and defining a mouth, a transversely extending flexible annular flange carriedwith the thicker 30 walled portion at the mouth thereof and progressively decreasing in thickness towards its periphery, the thicker wall portion being formed inwardly with an interior groove and a plug formed with a circumferential head for recep- 35 tion in the groove and an enlarged head overlying the edge of the mouth.

6. A suppository holder comprising a tubular body portion of elastic material, the wall of said body portion being formed with diamond shaped 40 

